23 Jul 2025 11:33:38
Last night was a good result but just how disjointed we were and very very sloppy, next week is far from a formality. Here's a few of my take aways and thoughts.
* Soapy can't play LCB, needs a lefty.
* Tav and Aarons were coming to central and basically causing Rothwell to be less effective as a 6.
*Djiga apart from that one scare, did well.
* Fullbacks being so narrow caused us too many defensive issues.
* Raskin and Dio needed swapping if they are asked to play wider, few times Nico tried to cross or pass with the outside of his right foot.
* Dowell must train really really well as he again showed he is absolute gash and a wasted jersey.
* Curtis first half did okay defensively and got better and better second half.
* With Raskin and Dio playing so wide and Curtis and Dowell being asked to stay wider, we left Danilo with nobody close to him and very isolated. This has to change going forward especially in league games.
* Welcome to the famous Gassama, looked bright and nice finish.
* Cortes no even getting a look in must mean RM does not fancy him.
Just my takes, feel free to offer constructive criticism or tell me I know nothing about the beautiful game. Have a good day lads/ lassies.
23 Jul 2025 11:51:09
A Left back needs to be a priority signing.
23 Jul 2025 11:56:10
BBJ You know nothing about the beautiful game ??? sereriously tho that was pretty much my take on it as well.
23 Jul 2025 12:13:59
Delighted for young Curtis and Gassama.
23 Jul 2025 12:41:50
Yeah Dowell and Danilo weren't great but how many times did their teammates actually pass the ball to them? Not sure how they're supposed to impress when they see very little of the ball.
23 Jul 2025 12:44:29
Have to agree with most of that, the inverted full backs caused us so many problems defensively and creatively.
I've been saying for weeks that one of our centre backs needs to be left footed and adding that to a right footed left back and left winger we lacked balance .
Disagree about Djika I thought he was shaky on the ball most of the game.
23 Jul 2025 12:48:05
I agree Mark if Jefte or Ridvan ain't starting then one needs selling and another starter signed. Feel a LCH and RW are priority going forward and the RW needs to be really quick.
Appreciate that Fife pal lol Aye Totti, Curtis just got better and better as the game went on and at 18 is showing we could have a good prospect. Gassama I feel will be a huge fan favourite is he lives up to his potential.
23 Jul 2025 12:54:48
Scott for me Curtis at least looked to get involved where it seemed like Dowell was happy to just hide unless directly passed to, just my opinion mind. Danilo again I'll say was way too isolated and did the hard yards pressing etc.
Wls fair enough pal I though for his first game he did well apart from that one glaring mistake but wasn't helped by Soapy having a mare. The inverted fullbacks annoyed me but less that Raskin and Dio, they were so far off it as they were wrong side and asked to go wide too often.
23 Jul 2025 12:57:36
I thought rothwell had a very good game bigbluejim and imo was our best player last night mate ?.
23 Jul 2025 13:00:56
Both cortes and jefte look unfancied after apparently being amazing pre season. Cortes more so. Sws rothwell will stroll spfl.
23 Jul 2025 13:11:07
It is the first competitive game so it will take players time to understand the system and to get confidence in it. Celtic play with inverted full back (s) when Taylor was there. Liverpool played with TTA as one. It is just different to what we were used to but he will stick with it and I think it has legs to be successful.
Souttar had a good game IMO, defended well and passed the ball successfully. not sure what you want from a CB more than tha. most LCBs are right footed (VVD? )
Dowell needs more than 1 game to show he deserves a jersey as do the new guys before judgement can be made. and before you go on about his time before check the stats and see how many games he started and how many minutes he got. he needs a run of games; whether he gets it will be down to RM.
I don't think Dio and Raskin were meant to play that wide. In first 10 minutes Raskin wasn't but just drifted wide. he has played No6 until now so wants to sit deeper and inside. Aarons taking that space means it isn't there for him. when he pushed forward in 2nd half (probably after reminder from RM) we were much better.
23 Jul 2025 13:23:11
Souttar was good last night bigbluejim, I'm clearly watching a different from you.
23 Jul 2025 13:33:31
Sorry, a different game.
23 Jul 2025 13:38:23
Lb cb rw will happen soon.
23 Jul 2025 14:02:59
Coops I thought he had a good game too but felt he would of been more effective had those fullbacks not kept creeping into his space. Angus mate honestly if you're happy with Dowell that's cool but for me I expect better and regardless of what you say about "before" he has been a total failure and continues to prove that he isn't good enough for whatever reason. I think he was a good player but just can't replicate it here. As for Dio and Raskin, no issue what was being asked of them just swap sides and make them more comfortable. Like Brugge game Dio played left side and was brilliant.
Star he kept making stupid passes and was caught out a few times and to add the amount of times he was just walking with the ball at his feet, thinking what to do with it. Looked very uncomfortable at LCH for me. Agree I think those positions will be priority now in time for the next round if we get there.
23 Jul 2025 14:15:59
Bigbluejim, again Souttar had a good game mate, stopped a certain goal in the first half blocked a couple, if some have doubts on any player they see more about what they don't do correctly. Butland, Rothwell, Souttar was my best three players last night.
23 Jul 2025 14:40:52
BBJ look out MPH figures for match above and see the stats showing the midfield performance. I know you will still think he is rubbish as your mind is now closed to him. I don't think he is the answer possibly but willing to see if he can be part of this as he hasn't had the chance before. he was a good player but getting 10 or so minutes per game isn't enough to count as a chance.
re Souttar it needs players to move before he can pass to them. the instruction is to keep the ball as the opposition can't hurt is without it. Funny really as Djiga was exactly the same with his passing but no mention negatively of him. Souttar at least tried to drive forward a couple of times.
23 Jul 2025 14:41:13
He was poor 1st half BBJ the souttar fella he was getting praise for last ditch defending when he caused the issue in 1st place with loose passing ?.
23 Jul 2025 15:40:23
Angus Djiga was trying to usher Tav to go on the outside instead of cutting in and it was his first game for us so giving him a chance to prove himself yet. Feel you're just trying to cause a fuss over nothing, anyone with eyes could see that young Curtis tracked back, got on the ball and tried to make things happen, Dowell did not. We can agree to disagree as honestly if folk thing he is what we need then that's their choice but we will win nothing with him starting 100%.
Storm honestly it feels like folk give Soapy an easy time because he's Scottish, he did make a good block but like you say it was from his loose passing. He only got better once they were less threat due to being a man down.